Month: August 2015

Keep on keeping on.

Still not dead. Although I keep coming close. Just thought I’d confirm I’m still here.   The source of my ongoing near death experiences, my bike, is a joy, as ever. I’ve replaced the front brake pads, clutch cable, upgraded the front shock absorber springs, upgraded the rear shocks, and, as it was rusty, took the swinging arm off, de-rusted it and resprayed it. Worrying when it’s at this stage: And the before and after of the new shocks: Now, although I think they look prettier, that isn’t the main thing. The thing is now I have stiffer suspension, front and back. I can ride over, say, the white lines and cats eyes between lane 2 and 3 without setting up a speed wobble. And throw it into fast corners without weaving. Neither phenomena being conducive to bowel control.   Also I’ve had the cunning idea of waking car drivers up. On a course I recently attended the guy was saying we are conditioned to look for cars, we don’t even notice we aren’t noticing bikes, and that one biker dies every single day. Yesterday, dead biker. Today, dead biker. Tomorrow, dead biker. So my theory is this: no one notices bikes, but we are all conditioned to notice blues lights. The more dangerous your driving the more you are looking out for them. So: As you can see that was daylight and the tiny little spots were outshining my headlight. The idea is not to fool people into thinking I’m a bike copper, just so that they notice I’m there. Still on my shopping list are louder pipes, a short rear mudguard and ‘plate holder, still want a seat hump if I can see one that I like, and possibly clip on handlebars. The clip ons are cheap enough, but then you have to buy mounting brackets for your headlight and a new (£200+) bit for on top of the forks, or you are left with the handlebar clamps with nothing in them, looking ugly. Possibly all new cables as well. Oh and new air filter to get rid of that big black bit of plastic under the seat. So, plenty to go at. And if you’re not into bikes, well shame on you.   Work is still groovy. I really want to hang in at this one and get taken on full time. It’s long and unpredictable hours, but it’s so easy and you are under no stress whatsoever. Here’s your job, see you whenever.   I’m having to ditch that 50 miler. I just don’t get the time to train. I’ve entered the Warrington half marathon again, which is on the same day, instead. Starting just outside my sister’s cafe this year.   Karate is progressing in fits and starts. The last two weeks I’ve been twice a week, but for a few weeks before that I only made it once a week. They have caught on to my Tae Kwon Do tricks now. Sparring today I […]

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